This extensive study has shown that infrared laser light can induce the formation of tertiary dentin; that is to generate a hard tissue structure to protect an exposed dental pulp. Such an effect of LPT was demonstrated already in 1988 [1] and confirmed by larger studies in 2005 and 2006 [2, 3]. What these papers have taught us is that there is indeed an effect, but the value of the Award Winning paper is that is has confirmed a cascade of events leading to the effect. Thus, the paper does not only confirm that there is an effect, but further to that it reveals the mechanism behind the effect.

Apart from the scientific achievement, the team of researchers have managed to promote their findings in the international press, and thereby have contributed to drawing more attention to the potential of laser phototherapy.